Telemedicine

Health-e-Schools

What is Health-e-Schools (Telemedicine)?

Health-e-Schools is improving access to healthcare for students in McDowell County through the use of telemedicine. The technology is based on high-definition video-conferencing using specially equipped stethoscopes and cameras so that a centrally located health care provider can examine students at multiple schools without traveling. We provide many services, including addressing acute issues such as the common ear ache, sore throat, cold/allergies, asthma & spirometry, as well as many other acute illnesses. We provide chronic disease management, medication management, sports physicals, adolescent medicine consultations, and behavioral health visits with our providers. We work in conjunction with athletic trainers to provide care for student athletes, and collaborate with Primary Care Physicians to ensure that all care is coordinated and serves the individual patient on a personal level.

Who can use Health-e-Schools?

Any student enrolled in the McDowell County Public School System is eligible to use Health-e-Schools, as well as all faculty and staff. In addition, we provide services to all students, faculty and staff at McDowell Technical Community College. All patients must submit a signed consent/enrollment form prior to any services being offered. Students under the age of 18 must have their form signed by a parent or legal guardian. We send forms home at the beginning of the school year, but they can also be requested from the School Nurse, requesting one by emailing appts@crhi.org or printed below and submitted at any time. Please return completed forms to your school nurse.

Insurance or Uninsured – regardless, everyone at the school may use Health-e-Schools. We accept Medicaid, NC HealthChoice, BCBS, State Employees Health Plan, and more. Uninsured students & adults will be seen with our sliding fee scale. We will not turn away any patient based on insurance status nor ability to pay.

If you child was enrolled in telemedicine last year, you do not have to re-enroll him/her 2020-2021 school year. 

Online Enrollment Form Available at this site in English and Spanish. At the top of the enrollment form on the right hand side, there is a dropdown menu for language. 

https://webapp.yosicare.com/?pid=318301

 

 

 

 

What schools have the telemedicine equipment?

• McDowell High School
• McDowell Technical Community College
• East McDowell Middle School
• West McDowell Middle School, which also serves FCS
• McDowell Academy for Innovation (MAI)
• Eastfield Global Magnet School
• Glenwood Elementary
• Marion Elementary
• Nebo Elementary
• North Cove Elementary
• Old Fort Elementary
• Pleasant Gardens Elementary
• West Marion Elementary
• Headstart

What purpose does this serve?

Using telemedicine to connect patients to quality health care providers is a proven way to increase access to health services, especially in rural areas; however, the idea of a school-based telemedicine program is unique. Health-e-Schools allows school nurses to connect any students in need of medical care with health care providers. School-based health centers have been shown to improve attendance and reduce barriers to learning. Health-e-Schools increases classroom attendance for students and decreases time spent away from work for the parent or caregiver of the student. If need additional information, please contact the school nurse. 

In The News

Health-e-Schools connects students to medical care from the McDowell News

Health-e-Schools on WLOS News13 Asheville